Display panel and panel inspection apparatus

ABSTRACT

Disclosed herein is a display panel based on active matrix driving having a display area made up of N pixel control lines, M video signal lines orthogonally intersecting the N pixel control lines, and pixel circuits arranged at intersections between the N pixel control lines and M video signal lines, wherein positional identification patterns are arranged on every k (k being a natural number) pixel control lines inside each of the pixel circuits.

CROSS REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present invention contains subject matter related to Japanese PatentApplication JP 2007-237270 filed in the Japan Patent Office on Sep. 12,2007, the entire contents of which being incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a technology configured to identify thepixel position of a display panel of active matrix drive type in a shorttime. It should be noted that the present invention has a mode as both adisplay panel and a panel inspection apparatus.

2. Description of the Related Art

Recently, various types of display technologies have been proposed asFPDs (Flat Panel Displays). For example, these display technologiesinclude non-self-illuminating display technologies, such as LCD (LiquidCrystal Display), that use backlighting and self-illuminating displaytechnologies, such as plasma display and organic EL (ElectroLuminescence) display.

The flat panel displays are based on the passive matrix driving and theactive matrix driving. Recently, the active matrix driving has gainedthe mainstream.

The following describes the existing structure and technologicalproblems of a pixel circuit based on the active matrix driving by usesof an organic EL display for an example.

Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a top view of an exemplaryconfiguration of a pixel circuit. It should be noted that FIG. 1 shows apattern example in which one pixel is composed of three sub pixels.These three sub pixels are the three primary colors; R (Red), G (Green),and Blue (Blue).

As shown in FIG. 1, a pixel control line 1 is arranged so as to crosstwo or more sub pixels and a video signal line 3 corresponding to eachsub pixel is arranged so as to orthogonally cross the pixel control line1. In addition, a thin-film transistor is arranged in each sub pixelcircuit, the thin-film transistor being connected to the pixel controlline 1 and the video signal line 3. It should be noted that theconfiguration itself in each pixel circuit is known.

With today's display apparatuses, the display area is getting larger andthe display resolution is getting increasingly finer, therebynecessarily making the pixel pitch increasingly narrower. This situationraises the probability of the occurrence of defects, such as the brokenwires due to dust or the like during manufacturing processes of displaypanels, the short-circuits between adjacent wires, and inter-layershort-circuits in wire cross sections, for example.

Especially, defects encountered in the forming of the wiring insemiconductor transistors, for example, are fatal. Hence, electricalinspections have to be executed after each thin-film transistor filmforming process to detect failing points and repair the detectedfailures.

For the above-mentioned purpose, various electrical inspection methodshave been proposed (Japanese Patent Laid-Open No. 2004-102260, JapanesePatent Laid-Open No. 2004-347749, and Japanese Patent Laid-Open No.2003-50380).

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Generally, defective locations are identified by use of any ofabove-mentioned inspection methods and the detected defectives arerepaired by use of lasers. It should be noted here that large-scaledisplay apparatuses as often found today desire a large movement of thelaser radiation muzzle or a camera attached thereto.

In addition, it is not desired in terms of production takt time todesire a precise alignment operation every time a failing point isdetected and repaired. Also, as shown in FIG. 1, while the pixel pitchis approximately 200 μm, the diameter of camera viewing field isapproximately 30 μm.

This is because each failing point is normally less than 30 μm. However,in this viewing field range, it takes a very long time to detect orrepair many failing points in the display area.

Therefore, the embodiment of the present invention addresses theabove-identified and other problems associated with related-art methodsand apparatuses and solves the addressed problems by proposing a displaypanel based on active matrix driving made up of N pixel control lines, Mvideo signal lines that orthogonally intersect the N pixel controllines, and pixel circuits arranged at the intersections between the Npixel control lines and M video signal lines. In this display panel,positional identification patterns are arranged on every k (k being anatural number) pixel control lines inside each of the pixel circuits.

At the same time, the embodiment of the present invention addresses theabove-identified and other problems associated with related-art methodsand apparatuses and solves the addressed problems by proposing a displaypanel based on active matrix driving made up of N pixel control lines, Mvideo signal lines that orthogonally intersect the N pixel controllines, and pixel circuits arranged at the intersections between the Npixel control lines and M video signal lines. In this display panel,positional identification patterns are arranged on every z (z being anatural number) video signal lines inside each of the pixel circuits.

Obviously, the pattern structure for positional identification can bearranged on both the pixel control lines and the video signal lines. Itshould be noted that the pattern structure may be convex or concave inshape.

Arranging (into each pixel circuit) the positional identificationpattern proposed by the applicant hereof into a display areasignificantly reduces the time necessary for failure point detection andrepair, thereby significantly enhancing a manufacturing takt time.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary planarconfiguration of a related-art pixel circuit;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary planarconfiguration of a display panel module;

FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary planarconfiguration of a pixel circuit described in an example of form;

FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary arrangement of apositional identification pattern;

FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram illustrating exemplary real dimensions ofa positional identification pattern;

FIGS. 6A through 6D are schematic diagrams illustrating exemplary formsof positional identification patterns;

FIGS. 7A and 7B are schematic diagrams illustrating other exemplaryforms of positional identification patterns;

FIGS. 8A and 8B are schematic diagrams illustrating still otherexemplary forms of positional identification patterns;

FIGS. 9A and 9B are schematic diagrams illustrating yet other exemplaryforms of positional identification patterns;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary panelinspection apparatus;

FIG. 11 is a flowchart indicative of an exemplary inspection procedure;

FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary panelinspection apparatus;

FIG. 13 is a flowchart indicative of an exemplary inspection procedure;

FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram illustrating an exemplary functionalconfiguration of an electronic device;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of an exemplary article;

FIGS. 16A and 16B are perspective views of another exemplary article;

FIG. 17 is a perspective view of still another exemplary article;

FIGS. 18A and 18B are perspective views of yet another exemplaryarticle; and

FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a different exemplary article.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The embodiment of the present invention will be described in furtherdetail, with reference to the accompanying drawings, by way ofembodiments thereof in which the invention is embodied in organic ELpanels based active matrix driving. It should be noted that, to anyportions not especially illustrated or described herein, known orpublicly known technologies in technological fields concerned areapplied. It should also be noted that the embodiments described beloware illustrative and therefore the embodiment of the present inventionis not restricted thereto.

(A) Overall Configuration

Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown an exemplary planar configuration ofan organic EL module 11. The organic EL module 11 has a configuration inwhich a display area 15 arranged with pixel circuits based on activedriving in a matrix is formed on a glass substrate 13.

It should be noted that scan signal supply TABs 17, video signal supplyTABs 19, and power supply TCPs 21 are connected to the display area 15at the outer periphery thereof. N pixel control lines 1 and M videosignal lines 3 are connected to the connection pad of each wire. Itshould be noted that an organic film 23 greater than the display area 15by approximately 1 to 2 mm is formed. In addition, a cathode film 25 isformed around the organic film 23. Although not shown, an opposite glass27 coated with a sealant is mounted on the cathode film 25.

(B) Configuration of the Organic EL Panel (B-1) Exemplary Embodiment

Referring to FIG. 3, there is shown an exemplary planar configuration ofa pixel circuit making up an organic EL panel practiced as oneembodiment of the invention. It should be noted that, with reference toFIG. 3, components similar to those previous described with reference toFIG. 1 are denoted by the same reference numerals.

Also in an example shown in FIG. 3, the pixel control line 1 is arrangedso as to intersect two or more sub pixels and the video signal line 3corresponding to each sub pixel is arranged so as to orthogonallyintersect the pixel control line 1. In each sub pixel circuit, athin-film transistor is arranged and connected to the pixel control line1 and the video signal line 3.

However, in the pixel circuit associated with the above-mentionedembodiment, positional identification patterns (projection patterns 31and 33) are arranged for every several of the pixel control lines 1 andthe video signal lines 3. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, theprojection pattern 31 to be formed on the pixel control lines 1 isarranged every k (k being a natural number) pixel control lines. Also,for example, the projection pattern 33 to be formed on the video signallines 3 is arranged every z (z being a natural number) video signallines.

Number k and number z above can be set independently of each other. Inthe examples shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the number k and number z are thesame (in the same pixel circuit). Obviously, if number k and number zare different, merely one the two projection patterns appears in onepixel circuit.

If number k and number z is both “1” in the case of FIG. 4, for example,the projection pattern 31 and the projection pattern 33 appear in apixel circuit located at the intersection between an odd-numbered pixelcontrol line 1 and an odd-number video signal line 3. Also, for example,if number k and number z in the case of FIG. 4 are both “9”, then theprojection pattern 31 and the projection pattern 33 appear in a pixelcircuit located at the intersection between 10q+1 (q being a naturalnumber) pixel control line 1 and 10q+1 video signal line 3.

If number k and number z are both “99” in the case of FIG. 4, forexample, the projection pattern 31 and the projection pattern 33 appearin a pixel circuit located at the intersection between 100q+1 (q being anatural number) pixel control line 1 and 100q+1 video signal line 3.Also, for example, it is practicable to determine number k and number zsuch that the location can be identified in a single or plural pixelunits (in this example, the pixel unit is three sub pixels).

Thus, arranging the projection pattern 31 and the projection pattern 33usable for checking the pixel positions all over the surface in thedisplay area 15 makes it easy to detect given pixel positions andexecute positional alignment even on these displays panels which arelarge in screen size. Especially, the existence of these projectionpatterns for positional identification in the display area is veryhelpful for visual inspection.

It should be noted that step D and width W of the projection pattern 31and the projection pattern 33 may take any values if these values areover manufacturing limit dimensions. For example, as shown in FIG. 5, ifthe line width of the pixel control line 1 and the video signal line 3is 10 μm, step D and width W is each 3 μm obviously, the patterns may besmaller in dimension by considering identification efficiency in thefuture.

It should be noted that step D and width W need not be the same; namely,one may longer than the other. Also, the dimensions of the projectionpattern 31 and the projection pattern 33 may be increased in a range inwhich no short circuit is caused with peripheral wiring. Basically, asthe dimensions of the projection pattern 31 and the projection pattern33 get larger, pattern detection can be made more easily. Especially, inthe case of visual inspection, the detection is easy. Obviously, thedimensions of the projection pattern 31 and the projection pattern 33may not be infinitely increased because of the limitation in layout.

Adding the projection pattern 31 and the projection pattern 33 to thepixel control line 1 and the video signal line 3 necessarily increasesthe capacity of these wirings; however, the increment in capacity isslight as compared with the original capacity of the wirings, so thatthe effect to the driving operation is almost negligible. It should benoted that, rather than the projection pattern 31 and the projectionpattern 33, positional identification marks can be arranged in an islandmanner in each pixel circuit.

However, in this case, it is not enough merely to allocate a minimumsize that is identifiable as a positional identification pattern;therefore, it is necessary to allocate a space large enough forpreventing a wire-to-wire short circuit with peripheral wirings. Withtoday's high-resolution pixel circuits, enough space may not beallocated, which also leads to lowered aperture ratios. From this pointof view, the positional identification patterns in the embodiment inwhich the patterns project directly from the pixel control line 1 andthe video signal line 3 are reasonable.

Also, in the above-mentioned embodiment, the projection pattern 31 andthe projection pattern 33 are arranged for both the pixel control line 1and the video signal line 3; it is also practicable to arrange thesepatterns for merely one of the lines. In this case, the projectionpattern 31 or the projection pattern 33 can be arranged in all pixelcircuits on the wirings location every k+1 or z+1 line.

(B-2) Other Embodiments

The above-mentioned embodiment has been described by use of an examplein which the positional identification patterns are rectangularprojection patterns. It is also practicable to use other shapes andstructures, such as shown in FIGS. 6A through 6E.

To be more specific, structures for positional identification mayinclude a triangular projection as shown in FIG. 6A, a semicircularprojection as shown in FIG. 6B, an elliptical projection as shown inFIG. 6C, or a trapezoidal projection as shown in FIG. 6D.

Also, the above-mentioned embodiment has been described in the case inwhich one projection pattern is arranged. It is also practicable, asshown in FIG. 7A, to provide a configuration in which two projectionpatterns are arranged. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 7B, two types ofprojection patterns having different shapes can be used. Obviously,three or more projection patterns can be arranged in principle.

One of the two types of projection patterns shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B canbe used in accordance with the location of arrangement. In this case,understanding the occurrence location and occurrence frequency of thetwo types of projection patterns in advance facilitates theidentification of the positional relationship inside the display areaeven if the imaging field of view is narrow.

For example, using different patterns in accordance with the differenceof TABs and driver ICs mounted on the outer periphery of the displayarea 15 allows the understanding of the approximate positionalrelationship inside the screen because of the difference between thepositional identification patterns observed inside the display area.

It should be noted that, in the description of the above-mentionedembodiment, convex patterns were illustrated as the structure forpositional identification; it is also practicable to use a concavepattern as shown in FIG. 9. For example, a triangular cut pattern asshown in FIG. 9A or a semicircular cut pattern a shown in FIG. 9B may beused.

(C) Panel Inspection Apparatus (C-1) Embodiment 1

Referring to FIG. 10, there is shown an exemplary inspection apparatusconfigured to inspect an organic EL panel 41 with the above-mentionedpositional identification pattern formed inside the display area. Itshould be noted that FIG. 10 shows a panel inspection apparatus havingcapabilities of detecting the positional coordinates of failing pixels.

Therefore, FIG. 10 shows merely a functional block configurationassociated with the capabilities of detecting the positional coordinatesof every detected failing pixel. The panel inspection apparatus shown inFIG. 10 has an imaging camera 43, a move block 45, a pattern comparisonblock 47, and a positional identification block 49.

It should be noted that the imaging camera 43 is an imaging device thathas a magnifying capability equivalent to a microscope. The move block45 is a movable device that relatively moves the organic EL panel 41 andthe imaging camera 43.

The move block 45 is configured as a movable device that is a base onwhich the organic EL panel 41 is mounted or a movable device that is amovable mechanism on which the imaging camera 43 is mounted. It shouldbe noted that the move block 45 associated with the present embodimentis assumed to be movable within a range equivalent to the occurrenceperiod of positional identification pattern as well as movable within animaging range.

The pattern comparison block 47 is a processing unit configured toexecute comparison between imaging pattern and positional identificationpattern. The positional identification block 49 is a processing unitconfigured to identify pixel positions, in an organic EL panel, of amovement start position on the basis of a distance from movement startto movement end.

Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a positional detecting operation tobe executed by the above-mentioned panel inspection apparatus. It shouldbe noted that, in FIG. 11, an imaging range of the imaging camera 43 isassumed already positioned to a failing point by failure inspectionprocessing.

In this state, the panel inspection apparatus moves the imaging range ina range of the occurrence period of positional identification patternaround the current failing pixel so as to search for a positionalidentification pattern around the failing pixel (process S1).

It should be noted that this positional identification pattern searchprocessing is executed by the pattern comparison block 47. In thissearch processing, the pattern comparison block 47 and the move block 45operate in an interlocking manner so as to set a movable range ofimaging range. Movement information in the positional identificationpattern search processing is supplied from the move block 45 to thepositional identification block 49.

If a positional identification pattern is detected in a range around thefailing point, then a distance from the start position of the searchoperation to the position at which the positional identification patternhas been first detected (process S2) is detected (process S2). Thisdistance is held in the positional identification block 49.

Next, the panel inspection apparatus moves the imaging range at theoccurrence period of that positional identification pattern in thedirection in which the positional identification pattern orthogonallyintersects the first detected wire, thereby counting the number of timesthe movement has been made (process S3). Next, when the imaging rangereaches an outer periphery of the organic EL panel 41, the current moveoperation stops. At this point of time, the distance from the failingpoint to the outer periphery of the organic EL panel in a certaindirection is established.

The panel inspection apparatus converts this distance into thecoordinate information of the failing point (process S4). For example,if the direction of movement is in the orthogonal intersection with thepixel control line 1, the distance from the failing point to thedetection of the first positional identification pattern is y in pixelequivalent, and the movement count at the occurrence period ofpositional identification pattern is n, then the location of the pixelcontrol line 1 having the failure is given by n×(k+1)+y.

It should be noted that if the positional information about thedirection in which the movement orthogonally intersects the video signalline 3 is desired, the imaging range can be returned from the outerperiphery of the organic EL panel 41 to the failing point again, forexample, thereby repeating an operation of detecting the positionalidentification pattern in the direction of orthogonally intersecting thevideo signal line 3 and a moving operation thereof.

It is also practicable, for example, by executing a search operation inthe direction of orthogonally intersecting the video signal line 3 withthe outer periphery of the organic EL panel 41 reached by the movementin the direction of orthogonally intersecting the pixel control line 1as an origin, to detect the positional identification pattern of thevideo signal line 3 located around the origin and repeat a movingoperation from the detected position at the occurrence period ofpositional identification pattern, thereby identifying the positionalinformation about the direction of orthogonally intersecting the videosignal line 3.

It should be noted that, in the moving operation at the occurrenceperiod of positional identification pattern, an operation ofimage-detecting the positional identification pattern from the takenimage may be executed every time a moving operation is made for thepurpose of canceling a movement error; however, if the accuracy ofmoving operation can be assured, the image processing may be omitted fora shorter moving time. In any case, as compared with the case wherewires are counted one by one, these configurations can significantlyreduce the time necessary for identifying the pixel position having afailure.

Consequently, the above-mentioned novel methods can realize a shortenedmanufacturing takt time. Especially, in the case of high-resolution,large-size panels, which have to be inspected over a relatively widerange, a significantly reduced processing time per one unit of panel isexpected.

(C-2) Embodiment 2

Referring to FIG. 12, there is shown an exemplary inspection apparatusfor inspecting an organic EL panel 51 with the above-mentionedpositional identification pattern formed inside the display area. Itshould be noted that FIG. 12 shows a panel inspection apparatus having acapability of aligning a repair area with a previously given failingpoint.

Therefore, FIG. 12 shows merely a functional block configurationassociated with the moving function of the repair area. The panelinspection apparatus shown in FIG. 12 has an imaging camera 53, apattern comparison block 55, a positional identification block 57, and amove block 59.

It should be noted that the imaging camera 53 is an imaging device thathas a magnifying capability equivalent to a microscope. The patterncomparison block 55 is a processing unit configured to executecomparison between imaging pattern and positional identificationpattern.

The positional identification block 57 is a processing unit configuredto identify the current position on the basis of a pattern comparisonresult. The move block 59 is a movable device that relatively moves theorganic EL panel 51 and the imaging camera 53.

The move block 59 is configured as a movable device that is a base onwhich the organic EL panel 51 is mounted or a movable device that is amovable mechanism on which the imaging camera 53 (including a laseroutput block, not shown) is mounted. It should be noted that the moveblock 59 associated with the present embodiment is assumed to be movablewithin a range equivalent to the occurrence period of positionalidentification pattern as well as movable within an imaging range.

FIG. 13 shows, a position detecting operation that is executed in thepanel inspection apparatus. First, the panel inspection apparatus getsthe positional coordinate of the failing point by the previous failureinspection processing (process S11). It is assumed that this coordinatebe given for each of the pixel control line 1 and the video signal line3.

It should be noted that each of these coordinates be given in the numberof sub pixels corresponding to the movement count at the occurrenceperiod of positional identification pattern and the distance below themovement period. Having obtained the positional coordinates, the panelinspection apparatus executes an operation of movement to thecoordinates corresponding to one of above-mentioned two coordinates(process S12).

For example, the positional coordinate for the selected movementdirection is given as n movements at the occurrence period of positionalidentification pattern and y movements in sub pixel unit, the panelinspection apparatus executes the corresponding number of movingoperations.

In doing so, at the time of movement at the occurrence period ofpositional identification pattern, pattern comparison with the takenimage may also be executed for checking the distance. Obviously, if theaccuracy in movement is high, the comparison of this type may be omittedto repeat the moving operation by the given number of movements.

It should be noted that the moving operation is repeatedly executedwhile a negative decision is obtained in the decision processing(process S13) whether there is a match between the distance and a targetvalue every time the moving operation is executed. Obviously, after thecompletion of the movement to one movement direction, moving operationsin other directions are repeated.

Thus, in the case of the organic EL panel 51 formed with positionalidentification patterns, the speed of moving operation and the accuracyof positioning can be enhanced also during each moving operation by theidentification and counting of positional identification patterns asdesired. As a result, the manufacturing takt time can be reduced.Especially, in the case of high-resolution, large-size panels, whichhave to be inspected over a relatively wide range, a significantlyreduced processing time per one unit of panel is expected.

(D) Article Examples (D-1) Panel Forms

In the above description, the organic EL module 11 having theconfiguration shown in FIG. 2 was described. However, the embodiment ofthe present invention is also applicable to any panels having a form inwhich the scan signal supply TAB 17 and the video signal supply TAB 19are removed from the organic EL module 11.

(D-2) Electronic Devices

The above-mentioned organic EL module 11 is distributed in the form anarticle mounted on various kinds of electronic devices. The followingshows some mounting examples on other electronic devices than mentionedabove.

Referring to FIG. 14, there is shown an exemplary system configurationof an electronic device. As shown in FIG. 14, an electronic device 61 ismade up of a display panel module 63 having a panel structure describedabove and a system control block 65. The system control block 65 is aprocessing unit configured to control the entire system of theelectronic device and is made up of a CPU (Central Processing Unit), forexample. In addition, the system control block 65 is made up of aninterface according to the application of the electronic device.

Referring to FIG. 15, there is shown an exemplary external view of anelectronic device when the electronic device is a television set. Atelevision set 71 shown in FIG. 15 has a structure in which a displaypanel module 63 is arranged in front of a front panel 73.

Referring to FIGS. 16A and 16B, there are shown exemplary external viewsof an electronic device that is a digital camera. FIG. 16A shows thefront side (or the subject side) of the digital camera, while FIG. 16Bshows the rear side (or the photographer side) of the digital camera.

A digital camera 81 has a protection cover 83, a taking lens block 85, adisplay panel module 63, a control switch 87, a shutter button 89, andso on.

Referring to FIG. 17, there is shown an exemplary external view of anelectronic device that is a video camera. A video camera 91 has, on thefront side of a main body 93, a taking lens 95 for taking an image of asubject, an imaging start/stop switch 97, and a display panel module 63.

Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B, there are shown exemplary external viewsof an electronic device that is a mobile phone. A mobile phone 101 shownin these figures is of a folding type. FIG. 18A shows an open state,while FIG. 18B shows a closed state.

The mobile phone 101 has an upper housing 103, a lower housing 105, acoupling block (in this example, a hinge block) 107, a main displaymodule 109, an auxiliary display panel module 111, a picture light 113,and a taking lens 115. It should be noted that the main display panelmodule 109 and the auxiliary display panel module 111 corresponding tothe display panel module 63.

Referring to FIG. 19, there is shown an exemplary external view of anelectronic device that is a computer. A computer 121 has a lower housing123, an upper housing 125, a keyboard 127, and a display panel module63.

In addition to the above-mentioned electronic devices, the display panelmodule 63 is applicable to audio reproducing apparatuses, game machines,electronic books, electronic dictionaries, and so on.

(D-3) Other Display Devices

With the above-mentioned embodiments, the display modules are organic ELpanels. It should be noted that the above-mentioned panel structure isalso applicable to self-illuminating display panel modules and nonself-illuminating display panel modules other than organic EL panelmodules.

(D-4) Other

While preferred embodiments of the embodiment of the present inventionhave been described using specific terms, such description is forillustrative purpose, and it is to be understood that changes andvariations may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of thefollowing claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A display panel based on active matrix driving having a display area made up of N pixel control lines extending in a first direction, M video signal lines extending in a second direction that is orthogonal to said first direction, and pixel circuits arranged at intersections between said N pixel control lines and M video signal lines, wherein positional identification patterns are arranged at every several k (k being a natural number) pixel control lines each of said positional identification patterns being associated with a corresponding one of said pixel circuits, such that said positional identification patterns identify relative locations of said corresponding ones of said pixel circuits along said second direction.
 2. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein said positional identification patterns are arranged on an entire range of a display area in a dispersed manner.
 3. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein each of said positional identification patterns is convex in shape.
 4. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein each of said positional identification patterns is concave in shape.
 5. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein said display panel is a self-illuminating display panel.
 6. The display panel according to claim 5, wherein said display panel is an organic electro luminescence panel.
 7. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein said display panel is a non self-illuminating display panel.
 8. The display panel according to claim 1, wherein said positional identification patterns have different structures at least for particular positional identification purpose and other positional identification purposes.
 9. A display panel based on active matrix driving having a display area made up of N pixel control lines extending in a first direction, M video signal lines extending in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction, and pixel circuits arranged at intersections between said N pixel control lines and M video signal lines, wherein positional identification patterns are arranged at every several z (z being a natural number) signal lines, each of said positional identification patterns being associated with a corresponding one of said pixel circuits, such that said positional identification patterns identify relative locations of said corresponding ones of said pixel circuits along said first direction.
 10. The display panel according to claim 9, wherein said positional identification patterns are arranged on an entire range of a display area in a dispersed manner.
 11. The display panel according to claim 9, wherein each of said positional identification patterns is convex in shape.
 12. The display panel according to claim 9, wherein each of said positional identification patterns is concave in shape.
 13. The display panel according to claim 9, wherein said display panel is a self-illuminating display panel.
 14. The display panel according to claim 13, wherein said display panel is an organic electro luminescence panel.
 15. The display panel according to claim 9, wherein said display panel is a non self-illuminating display panel.
 16. The display panel according to claim 9, wherein said positional identification patterns have different structures at least for particular positional identification purpose and other positional identification purposes. 